Christianity Today
July 2007

In the July issue of Christianity Today, an article appeared that implied that the Church of the Nazarene was experiencing an “Identity Crisis” over the doctrine of entire sanctification. The article stated that the leaders of the denomination are “rethinking their central holiness doctrine of entire sanctification.”

The Board of General Superintendents readily acknowledges that a series of conversations is going on as to how we can better articulate our doctrine of entire sanctification.  It is our conviction, however, that the denomination as a whole, the majority of our theologians, and the Board of General Superintendents in particular are deeply committed to the doctrine and experience of entire sanctification. This vital doctrine continues to be the central distinguishing tenet of the church.

Our conviction remains that the character of God, revealed in Scripture as holy love, both demands and provides a remedy for the radical self-centeredness of humanity, including believers. The atonement of Jesus Christ provides for the justification of sinners by grace alone, through faith, and initially sanctifies the believer. As justified and regenerated believers walk in the light, hungering for an increasing intimacy with Christ through the Spirit, the Spirit enables us to enter into an experience of such yieldedness and surrender of the self that the radical self-orientation is purged, the heart is purified, and the Spirit gives witness of assurance to this cleansing.

This is not to suggest a perfectionism that admits of no necessity of growth in grace and ever-increasing maturity into likeness to Jesus. It is to embrace the impartation of the love of God, enabling the believer to express the fruit of the Spirit, to love God with all the heart, soul, mind, and strength, and to love one’s neighbor as one now properly loves oneself.

The newly-refined Statement of Mission of the Church of the Nazarene embraces our deepest conviction that holiness is Christlikeness and that the mission of the Church is to invite all people everywhere into this vital, dynamic, and life-altering relationship with the Holy God who calls all of humanity to himself in Christ.

Jesse C. Middendorf
General Superintendent
Church of the Nazarene
On behalf of the Board of General Superintendents